Visa Denied in Ciudad Juarez

[karakmitchell 0]

I'm really sorry to hear about what happened to you. I hope you can get it resolved or at least that the time passes quickly for you. Just out of curiousity, which clinic did your fiance go to?

[tricia1 0]

Yeah, I was definitely mad when my fiance told me he had fessed up to that. But... I was the one who had prepared all the visa stuff and I sort of just filled him in on the details. I guess I forget to have the talk about "remember back when marijuana was your favorite college pastime? Let's pretend that never happened."

He told me that during the medical exam he had to take of all his clothes, and then the doctor left the room. He was left there facing signs that read "lying to this doctor is a federal crime" and things like that. So I guess he got intimidated/scared, and when the doctor came back and started asking him all kinds of questions he just said everything.

The worst part about this whole thing is that the next day, not only did they deny his visa, they took away his tourist visa!! He can't even enter the country! Anyway, I was accepeted to grad school here, so it looks like we'll be apart for the next two years. Ni modo...

maria

what exactly did your fiancee say. did he say he used everyday or what?how can you be so calm in waiting for 3 yrs?im also in san antonio and i go back and forth to monterrey every 2 to 3 wks.

Edited August 20, 2006 by tricia1

[AlexandMaria 0]

We went to the clinic that was right next to the Hotel La Playa, across the street from the embassy. I'm pretty sure that my fiance told them that at one point he was smoking three times a week during college. They gave him a little slip with a fax number. He has to periodically fax in drug tests to the embassy until Sept. 7th, 2008.

I'm not really sure why I'm so calm... I mean, I guess just because I know in the long run it won't be a big deal. I even think I was a little nervous about getting married so soon (I'm only 23!) But I know this is another test for our relationship. If we can make it through this period, I'm sure we can make it through anything.

Yeah, I was definitely mad when my fiance told me he had fessed up to that. But... I was the one who had prepared all the visa stuff and I sort of just filled him in on the details. I guess I forget to have the talk about "remember back when marijuana was your favorite college pastime? Let's pretend that never happened."

He told me that during the medical exam he had to take of all his clothes, and then the doctor left the room. He was left there facing signs that read "lying to this doctor is a federal crime" and things like that. So I guess he got intimidated/scared, and when the doctor came back and started asking him all kinds of questions he just said everything.

The worst part about this whole thing is that the next day, not only did they deny his visa, they took away his tourist visa!! He can't even enter the country! Anyway, I was accepeted to grad school here, so it looks like we'll be apart for the next two years. Ni modo...

maria

what exactly did your fiancee say. did he say he used everyday or what?how can you be so calm in waiting for 3 yrs?im also in san antonio and i go back and forth to monterrey every 2 to 3 wks.

[Melo 1]

I got a section 221 (g). I too informed them that I used to do drugs over 20 years ago. I said as much to the doctor who examined me. At the time of the interview, I saw my form lying in front of the CO with the section where I had ticked yes to having been a user facing him. I brought up the matter myself; did not wait for him to question me. I was asked for a UK police report dating back to 1970 (when I was 14); a notarized letter from me describing my addiction and a letter from my fiance describing our relationship. I was asked to submit these documents along with my passport and that if they require anything else they will let me know. I will be submitting these documents on Friday (for I believe the last document I need will be with me then). In addition to this I have a letter from the re-hab where I cleaned up my act and with whom I retain close ties. This re-hab has been working closely with the US State dept. so I believe that what was written will be treated seriously. In addition the doctor who performed the medical examination said she would be ready to speak to the Consulate on my behalf.

I did heroin from 1973 through to 1980 and smoked marijuana for an additional two years. We spoke to an imigration lawyer, who said that there is no reason for the visa to be denied. So I live in hope. But will really know once I have submitted all the docs they asked for.

I wish you the very best of luck; this process is hard enough as it is.

[Traviesa 0]

Yeah, I was definitely mad when my fiance told me he had fessed up to that. But... I was the one who had prepared all the visa stuff and I sort of just filled him in on the details. I guess I forget to have the talk about "remember back when marijuana was your favorite college pastime? Let's pretend that never happened."

He told me that during the medical exam he had to take of all his clothes, and then the doctor left the room. He was left there facing signs that read "lying to this doctor is a federal crime" and things like that. So I guess he got intimidated/scared, and when the doctor came back and started asking him all kinds of questions he just said everything.

The worst part about this whole thing is that the next day, not only did they deny his visa, they took away his tourist visa!! He can't even enter the country! Anyway, I was accepeted to grad school here, so it looks like we'll be apart for the next two years. Ni modo...

Maria, the same exact thing happened to us. Javier had an incident where he had put some cocaine in his mouth and we got the 3 year castigo for it. Ours is up in August 2008. There's not much that can be done other than wait it out. We tried all the things we were supposed to try-Motion to Reconsider, even an Advisory Opinion with the Department of State (and we had a VERY good argument since Javier didn't actually use the cocaine). You might have an argument as well since the law DOES allow for one instance of "experimentation" within the past 3 years, it would all depend on what he actually told the doctor. I'm wondering-did he also have to go see the psychiatrist? That's what we had to do. It saddens me to read your post because it's practically identical to what I posted back in November when this happened to us. Javier too told me about those signs you mention which are very intimidating and I also didn't think to prepare him for this aspect of questioning. I'm glad it seems you've gotten a lot more good support than what I did when it happened to me-people told me things like he was stupid for putting the drugs in his mouth/stupid for telling the truth. I guess you have to walk in those shoes to really understand. Anyway, my recommendation again is that you just go ahead and wait out the castigo. Do what we did-get married in Mexico and file the I-130 so you won't be wasting your ban time, and by the time he gets his Visa it will be a green card, not just a Visa. I do not recommend filing the Advisory Opinion. It's a waste of time. Today, at almost September, we never heard a response about it. We just got married in Mexico last week. If you want to talk to me further about anything, I have a ton of information I could share with you. Feel free to contact me via PM, and I hope you're feeling ok-I know how stressful this can be!

-Melissa

[webeback 0]

We went to the clinic that was right next to the Hotel La Playa, across the street from the embassy. I'm pretty sure that my fiance told them that at one point he was smoking three times a week during college. They gave him a little slip with a fax number. He has to periodically fax in drug tests to the embassy until Sept. 7th, 2008.

Hi Maria-Webeback here.

I just read your post about having to fax drug test results in to the embassy. When did they tell him he had to do that? They never told my son-in-law that but our lawyer recomened it and we have all the reults Including the one taken the day of the medical exam. We were just going to bring it all with us when we go back after the 3 year ban. Maybe we should fax our results as well? Could you PM me with the fax nyumber or name of person to ask about this? We only have a year left but are so anxious for my son-in-law to get here. They will celebrate their 3 year anniversary in Jan,.

I wish we had had someone to help us 2 years ago.

webeback

[ucla_cutie26 0]

I almost cried as I read your stories webeback and Alex&Maria. I truly hope the best for both of you and I hope that the time goes by quickly. It's a good thing you are maintaining a positive attitude Alex&Maria, I was wondering where you had been since it was getting around to approval time for you at CJ. Oh well, sometimes things happen for a reason, maybe during this time you can feel better prepared for marriage, right now focus on grad school. I know it's tough, I've been with my boyfriend/fiance for 5 years and I only get to see him during the summer time when I go visit him in Mexico. Hang in there

[TracyTN 237]

You know, honestly, I think your fiance should've never admitted to smoking pot. Yes, honesty is necessary in this process, but I don't think there would've been any way for the doctor to find out about an isolated pot smoking incident that happened a year ago unless your fiance still smokes pot, in which case it would show up in his urine.

You would be amazed was hair samples will show.. Very Very expensive tests but with your hair you can test very very far back to see if drugs were used.

They don't do hair tests at these medicals. Unless I've missed something!

Regardless, to the OP: I'm sorry to hear of your situation. I'm sure you'll choose the course of action that's best for you two. Hang in there.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Sorry to know about your situation.

Even though my fiance doesn't have any negative marks on her record. I told my fiance ahead of time... NEVER ADMIT TO ANYTHING ILLEGAL! PERIOD! It's like when the officer says, "Do you know how fast you were going?" Hell nahn, I wasn't looking at the freakin speedometer. LOL!

Sheriff Uling

[deancarolina 0]

Just a thought.

Could you marry in Antigua? These marriages are recognized by the US?

Then you could file the I-130 for a family member? Beats waiting the additional 2 yrs to be clean?

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Just a thought.

Could you marry in Antigua? These marriages are recognized by the US?

Then you could file the I-130 for a family member? Beats waiting the additional 2 yrs to be clean?

What happens when he must answer the dreaded question of... Have you ever applied for a visa before?

[Shanny 0]

i didn't realize that they even did drug tests at the medical.

in my packet three they just said that the blood test was for HIV.

[webeback 0]

i didn't realize that they even did drug tests at the medical.

in my packet three they just said that the blood test was for HIV.

THE DRUG TEST WAS A URINE TEST AND IT CAME BACK NEGATIVE.

WEBEBACK

Just a thought.

Could you marry in Antigua? These marriages are recognized by the US?

Then you could file the I-130 for a family member? Beats waiting the additional 2 yrs to be clean?

My son-in-law and daughter got married in Mexico before they were denied a Visa. They were denied a tourist visa and had heard that it would be faster if married to get a visa. So the decided to get married there then get "remarried" in US. After denial of visa they checked out living in a 3rd country but that wasn't going to work out.

Once you are denied a visa it is in the system and no matter what country you go to they will know of the denial. Believe me we have checked out all avenues. But we are still trying. Been 2 years now--one left.

webeback

[webeback 0]

We went to the clinic that was right next to the Hotel La Playa, across the street from the embassy. I'm pretty sure that my fiance told them that at one point he was smoking three times a week during college. They gave him a little slip with a fax number. He has to periodically fax in drug tests to the embassy until Sept. 7th, 2008.

Hi Maria-Webeback here.

I just read your post about having to fax drug test results in to the embassy. When did they tell him he had to do that? They never told my son-in-law that but our lawyer recomened it and we have all the reults Including the one taken the day of the medical exam. We were just going to bring it all with us when we go back after the 3 year ban. Maybe we should fax our results as well? Could you PM me with the fax nyumber or name of person to ask about this? We only have a year left but are so anxious for my son-in-law to get here. They will celebrate their 3 year anniversary in Jan,.

I wish we had had someone to help us 2 years ago. webeback

I need to clarify this statement I made-- we had so much help from Spouse and a few others when we were going thru this. I will be forever grateful to them--what I meant was--help from someone who had actually gone thru a denial because of drugs.

webeback

[Taye500 0]

Hey y'all... I was initially embarassed to post about this, but I figured, hey, what the hell... My fiance's visa was denied because he admitted to smoking marijuana to the doctor during his medical exam. He told the doctor that the last time he smoked was Sept 7, 2005. So, the next day at the interview, the consular officer told him, sorry buddy, you have to be clean for three years. Come back in 2008.

Soooo... cancel all the plans we made, and he is still in Mexico and I'm in Texas again. My family insists that I talk to a lawyer, that maybe somehow that will help the process. I, however, am skeptical. I don't know how a lawyer could possibily get around this, because the law is pretty darn clear.

Can anyone give me advice on the next step I should take?? I tried searching for similar discussions on this forum, but was unable to find anything conclusive. What about a waiver??

Thanks!

That was the dumpest thing i have heard in a long while, You sure he wasn't smoking when he went for his interview?? Why would anybody in his right mind tell an interviewer such a thing. Huh !!